Wildfire. Photo: Shutterstock Spain is facing a decisive period in its fight against wildfires, with more than 90,000 people affected across the country as authorities warn that a new heatwave could further complicate firefighting efforts.
According to the latest figures released by Spain's Ministry of the Interior, a total of 90,949 people have been impacted by the ongoing emergency. The government said 63,152 people have been evacuated, while another 27,797 remain confined to their homes or communities.
The largest number of evacuations has been recorded in the Community of Madrid, where 31,865 residents have been displaced. In the neighboring province of Ávila, 25,087 people have been evacuated and 8,735 remain confined. Toledo has reported 6,200 evacuations, while authorities have not yet released confinement figures for the province.
The emergency continues to disrupt transportation across central Spain. The Ministry of the Interior confirmed Monday that 47 secondary roads remain closed in the provinces of Madrid, Ávila, Toledo, and Castellón, with the Civil Guard's Traffic Unit deployed to ensure road safety and assist emergency operations.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has urged the public to remain vigilant as weather conditions are expected to worsen.
"Exercise extreme caution," Sánchez said, warning that Spain has two crucial days to bring the fires under control before another heatwave arrives later this week.
Authorities are particularly concerned that rising temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds could trigger new flare-ups at a time when firefighters are already battling multiple blazes across the country.
The Ministry of the Interior has issued a series of recommendations for residents and visitors, including following official information channels, respecting evacuation and confinement orders, avoiding unnecessary travel in affected areas, and calling 112 in the event of an emergency.
Spain's wildfire crisis comes as several countries across southern Europe face an exceptionally challenging summer. France recently reported its worst wildfire season on record, while Greece, Portugal, and Italy have also dealt with major fires in recent weeks.